Dhaka's military rulers

By: Sunita Paul

World's second largest Moslem populated country Bangladesh's capital Dhaka is under military backed government since January 11 last year. It is known to the world that the much anticipated general election in the country was postponed due to massive confrontation between two rival political parties, Awami League and Islamist Coalition led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party. When the civilian government of Ms. Khaleda Zia handed over power to the 'neutral' caretaker government led by President Iajuddin Ahmed, it was expected that a person acceptable to all political parties would become the Chief Advisor (Chief Executive) of the caretaker government. But, Awami League had serious reservations about allowing the figure, who was some how put into the position to become the Chief Advisor of the country. Because of Awami League's violent protests (which caused a number of lives), finally President Iajuddin Ahmed became the chief advisor as well in the country, thus becoming the most powerful individual in Bangladesh's history. Although Iajuddin occupied both Presidency and the post of the Chief Advisor, the confrontation on roads never stopped. Many of the TV viewers in the world must have seen the violent roads in Dhaka and other parts of the country during the entire October and November in 2006. Things were getting even worst from December when the BNP was almost set to hold a one-sided national election in the country within January 22. Then the most interesting part of the show took place. Under the direct interference of army, President Iajuddin was virtually forced to step back from the post of Chief Advisor and dissolved his advisory council on January 11, 2007. A state of emergency was declared banning all political activities and suspending basic rights of the people. On January 12, 2007, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, a former Governor of the Central Bank in Bangladesh, and a World Bank official became the Chief Advisor of the country. Members of Bangladesh army showed their highest skill in controlling the confronting political situation thus saving the nation from a massive political disaster if not a civil war. Many of the political analysts feel that, this intervention by the members of the Bangladesh armed forces was absolutely required for the safety and security of the people of the country.

Rights after the installation of the second part of the caretaker government under the leadership of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, a large number of former political heavy-weights were arrested on various charges - mostly corruption charges indeed. Later the interim government even arrested two former Prime Ministers, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, who are now facing series of corruption charges.

But, the most important point here is, when the government of Dr. Fakhruddin came in power on January 12, 2007, they openly claimed in mass media that the former politicians have looted billions of dollars from the country through various forms of corruptions. There had been even reports in Dhaka's press about 'wealth and cash' of politicians in various foreign destinations. The much talked about figure in the entire drive against corruption were son of Khaleda Zia, Tareq Rahman and his friend Giasuddin Al Mamun. If my readers will remember, in 2006 (February) I wrote an article titled 'Those shameless corrupts in Bangladesh', which was published in a number of newspapers. In my report, Giasuddin Mamun was mentioned as the most hated individual in Bangladesh. Definitely army's crack down on corruption was appreciated by the people of the country as many of the civilians were gradually becoming oppressed and repressed by Mamun or his gang. Names like Harris Chowdhury, Ashqul Islam or Miah Opu were the infamous names in the political office named *Hawa Bhaban *of Bangladesh Nationalist Party. In reality, this infamous Hawa Bhaban turned into the second government in the country. None of the business dealings were
possible without blessings from the 'most powerful' members of this house.Just in five years, Mamun turned into a multi-millionaire from the status of a mere pauper. Awami League was no less in corruption. This party was engaging in similar actions of corruption during their entire regime. Hasina's own sister Sheikh Rehana (who now resides in London) became the uncrown Princess of Bangladesh, who was making money like a devil from every business contracts. The much talked MIG-29 scandal took place during the rule of Awami League with Sheikh Hasina in the post of Prime Minister.

Things were not so bad right after the political changes in Bangladesh after January 11. But, things are deteriorating in the country in recent months. The military government has totally failed in controlling the prices of essentials. Power crisis has already reached into an alarming level in the country. The capital itself is under load shedding several hours each day. It is anticipated that the situation will even deteriorate in the coming months. There is also lack of coordination right inside the government. Many people are terming the present regime in Dhaka as 'Clinically Dead'. Army officers have started showing muscle in occupying individuals' properties in various parts of the country. Press repression is continuing secretly. Most interestingly, some wives of army officers have even started collecting ransom from people by black mailing them by using the state machinery. Law enforcing agencies, judiciary and even the army itself are helpless in the hands of these nasty elements. Previously power was abused by certain blessed individuals and quarters in the country. Now, hundreds of army men and their wives are in such crime. Although Bangladesh got rid of oneGiasuddin Al Mamun, it is gradually going into the grips of hundreds of such 'Mamun'.

Recently, one woman named Rasheda Afroze Liza, who is the wife of a Major of Bangladesh army demanded cash ransom from internationally known award winning journalist Mr. Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury. Choudhury faces sedition, treason and blasphemy charges in the country for confronting radical Islam and promoting interfaith understanding as well demanding relations between Israel and the Moslem nations. He was recently abducted from his office by armed thugs of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Later he was released in several hours.

The Wall Street Journal has published an editorial on 27 March titled " Bangladesh on Trial" on this incident. But, it seems that military rulers in Dhaka are now trying to find fresh ways of harassing Mr. Choudhury or some unscrupulous elements in the society are trying to abstract money from him by putting pressure, assuming that, under the present circumstance, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury may not get legal support from the government.

It is learnt that, Rasheda Afroze Liza divorced her former husband and married Major Tanvir Hussain recently. It is even told that Major Tanvir was trapped by the gang of Liza and forced to marry her along with her 9-year old son from the previous husband. Since marrying Major Tanvir, Liza leaves in a separate luxurious house outside the army cantonment area as she is reported involved in various criminal activities including collecting ransom from innocent people by black mailing them. This woman sent her men to the office of Mr. Choudhury's newspaper office several days back demanding an amount of TK. 200,000 as ransom. When such demand was turned down, the lady opted fresher tricks. She lodged a complaint with a local police station by using the influence of being the wife of an army officer. Then her men came back to Choudhury's office and asked them to 'settle' the matter with her immediately in order to avoid further harassment. When failed in such attempt too, Liza called a press conference in Dhaka on March 31, 2008 and claimed that she paid TK. 200,000 to the music company owned by Mr. Choudhury. She could not produce any evidence against her demand, but managed to get the news published in a section of Dhaka's newspapers, by compensating the journalists.

Meanwhile, Mr. Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury has sent a reminder complaint (a couple of complaints were already sent earlier) to the Chief of Bangladesh Army General Moeen U Ahmed demanding immediate investigation into the matter and necessary legal actions. It is learnt that no action has ever been initiated on the basis of his previous complaints with the Army Chief. Talking to this correspondent, Mr. Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury said, the present interim government although are continuing drive against corruption and lawlessness, some unscrupulous elements in the society are engaged in various forms of crimes by using the name of army. He also complained that, Liza is one of the conspirators, who designed sending of Rapid Action Battalion to his office of 18 March 2008.

This may be only one case in thousands. Many such incidents will even escape media's attention. Military backed interim government in Bangladesh came to power with the promise of combating corruption and crime. Now, they too are getting indulged into similar offenses. Who will save this nation from a possible catastrophe? Should the interim government, it's interior ministry, law enforcing agencies or the army itself take the matter into serious consideration?